SAFETY, SECURITY, AND TRANSIT PLANNING AND OPERATIONS AGENDA

Transcription

1 SAFETY, SECURITY, AND TRANSIT PLANNING AND OPERATIONS Friday, December 21, :00 PM VTA Conference Room B North First Street San Jose, CA AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. ROLL CALL 2. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS: This portion of the agenda is reserved for persons desiring to address the Committee on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are limited to 2 minutes. The law does not permit Committee action or extended discussion on any item not on the agenda except under special circumstances. If Committee action is requested, the matter can be placed on a subsequent agenda. All statements that require a response will be referred to staff for reply in writing. 3. ORDERS OF THE DAY CONSENT AGENDA 4. ACTION ITEM -Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of November 16, INFORMATION ITEM -Receive a report on the January 14, 2019 service changes. REGULAR AGENDA 6. INFORMATION ITEM -Receive information on Transit Ridership Trends - Fall INFORMATION ITEM -Receive an update on the College Football National Championship Game. 8. INFORMATION ITEM - Receive a presentation on Hybrid Bus Technology. (Verbal Report) (Samuels)

2 Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations December 21, 2018 OTHER ITEMS 9. Receive a report on the November, 2018, Monthly Ridership and Fare Revenue Performance. (Verbal Report) 10. Receive a report on VTA's Safety and Security Programs. (Verbal Report) 11. Items of Concern and Referral to Administration. 12. Review Committee Work Plan. (Gaeta) 13. Committee Staff Report. (Gaeta) 14. Chairperson's Report. (Chavez) 15. Determine Consent Agenda for the January 10, 2019, Board of Directors Meeting. 16. ANNOUNCEMENTS 17. ADJOURN In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, VTA will make reasonable arrangements to ensure meaningful access to its meetings for persons who have disabilities and for persons with limited English proficiency who need translation and interpretation services. Individuals requiring ADA accommodations should notify the Board Secretary s Office at least 48-hours prior to the meeting. Individuals requiring language assistance should notify the Board Secretary s Office at least 72-hours prior to the meeting. The Board Secretary may be contacted at (408) or board.secretary@vta.org or (408) (TTY only). VTA s home page is or visit us on (408) : 中文 / Español / 日本語 / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / Tagalog. Disclosure of Campaign Contributions to Board Members (Government Code Section 84308) In accordance with Government Code Section 84308, no VTA Board Member shall accept, solicit, or direct a contribution of more than $250 from any party, or his or her agent, or from any participant, or his or her agent, while a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use is pending before the agency. Any Board Member who has received a contribution within the preceding 12 months in an amount of more than $250 from a party or from any agent or participant shall disclose that fact on the record of the proceeding and shall not make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use his or her official position to influence the decision. A party to a proceeding before VTA shall disclose on the record of the proceeding any contribution in an amount of more than $250 made within the preceding 12 months by the party, or his or her agent, to any Board Member. No party, or his or her agent, shall make a contribution of more than $250 to any Board Member during the proceeding and for three months following the date a final decision is rendered by the agency in the proceeding. The foregoing statements are limited in their entirety by the provisions of Section and parties are urged to consult with their own legal counsel regarding the requirements of the law. All reports for items on the open meeting agenda are available for review in the Board Secretary s Office, 3331 North First Street, San Jose, California, (408) , the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday prior to the meeting. This information is available on VTA s website at and also at the meeting. NOTE: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY ACCEPT, REJECT OR MODIFY ANY ACTION RECOMMENDED ON THIS AGENDA. Page 2

3 CALL TO ORDER Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations Friday, November 16, 2018 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations (SSTPO) Committee was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by Vice Chairperson Jones in Conference Room B-106, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), 3331 North First Street, San José, California. 1. ROLL CALL Attendee Name Title Status Cindy Chavez Chairperson Present David Cortese Alternate Member N/A Dev Davis Alternate Member N/A Lan Diep Member Present Glenn Hendricks Alternate Member N/A Chappie Jones Member Present Bob Nunez Member Present *Alternates do not serve unless participating as a Member. A quorum was not present and a Committee of the Whole was declared. 2. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS: Roland Lebrun, Interested Citizen, provided safety improvements on light rail platforms. 3. ORDERS OF THE DAY Vice Chairperson Jones recommended hearing Information Items ahead of the Consent Agenda and any Action Items until a quorum has been established, in the order as follows: 1) Agenda Item #9., Caltrain Business Plan; 2) Agenda Item #11., October 2018 Monthly Ridership and Fare Revenue Performance; and 3) Agenda Item #10., Presentation on The Electric Power that Moves the Train. Chairperson Chavez arrived at the meeting and took her seat at 1:34 p.m. and a quorum was established. On order of Vice Chairperson Jones and there being no objection, the Committee accepted the Orders of the Day.

4 The Agenda was taken out of order. REGULAR AGENDA 9. Presentation on Caltrain Business Plan Sebastian Petty, Caltrain Senior Policy Advisor, provided a presentation titled Caltrain Business Plan. Public Comment Member Diep arrived at the meeting and took his seat at 1:44 p.m. Mr. Lebrun provided the following comments: 1) grade separation is too expensive; 2) increase train cars as a backup plan; and 3) extend the platform to increase capacity. On order of Vice Chairperson Jones and there being no objection, the Committee received a presentation on Caltrain Business Plan. 10. Presentation on "The Electric Power That Moves The Train" David Hill, Deputy Director, Transit Operations for Rail, provided a presentation highlighting how the electric power moves the train. Public Comment Mr. Lebrun commented that the light rail system does not have staggered wiring on Second Street, which is not an issue since trains there run at slow speed. On order of Vice Chairperson Jones and there being no objection, the Committee received a presentation entitled The Electric Power that Moves the Train. CONSENT AGENDA 4. Regular Meeting Minutes of September 21, 2018 M/S/C (Chavez/Diep) to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of September 21, Transit Operations Performance Report - Q1 FY 2019 Public Comment Dorian Lemarchand, Interested Citizen, provided the following comments: 1) supports changes made to Lines 522, 72 and 73; and 2) reallocate service of poor performing bus Lines to the rest of the network. M/S/C (Chavez/Diep) to receive the FY2019 First Quarter Transit Operations Performance Report. NOTE: M/S/C MEANS MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations Minutes Page 2 of 6 November 16, 2018

5 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Consent Agenda Items #4 - #5 MOVER: Cindy Chavez, Chairperson SECONDER: Lan Diep, Member AYES: Chavez, Diep, Jones, Nunez NOES: None ABSENT: None REGULAR AGENDA 6. Station Access Policy Jim Unites, Deputy Director, Transit Planning & Capital Development, provided a presentation entitled Station Access Policy, highlighting the following: 1) Policy consistency; 2) Access policies and practices; 3) Station access policy; 4) Guiding principles; 5) Station access priorities; 6) Applies to; and 7) Next steps. Members of the Committee provided the following recommendations: 1) to develop a framework that uses revenues to incentivize behavior that supports VTA policies; and 2) explore different technologies and concepts around mobility-as-a-service to enhance the customer riding experience. M/S/C (Chavez/Diep) to recommend that the VTA Board of Directors adopt a Station Access Policy for VTA. Further directing staff to report back to appropriate committees with the draft framework. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Regular Agenda Item #6 MOVER: Cindy Chavez, Chairperson SECONDER: Lan Diep, Member AYES: Chavez, Diep, Jones, Nunez NOES: None ABSENT: None 7. VTA Land Use and Development Review Policy Brent Pearse, Transportation Planner III, provided a presentation entitled Land Use and Development Review Policy, highlighting the following: 1) Policy consistency; 2) Why are we creating this?; 3) Policy outreach; 4) Principles; 5) Strategies to fulfill principles; 6) Policy tools; and 7) Next steps. Public Comment Doug Muirhead, Interested Citizen, inquired if other jurisdictions would have access to the land use data generated through the policy. Members of the Committee provided the following comments: 1) provide access to land use approvals; 2) get involved in the general planning process of other jurisdictions; Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations Minutes Page 3 of 6 November 16, 2018

6 3) expressed concern that local control will be shifted to regional or state agencies to address housing; and 4) to improve outreach for joint development. M/S/C (Chavez/Diep) to recommend that the VTA Board of Directors approve the VTA Land Use and Development Review Policy. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Regular Agenda Item #7 MOVER: Cindy Chavez, Chairperson SECONDER: Lan Diep, Member AYES: Chavez, Diep, Jones, Nunez NOES: None ABSENT: None 8. VTA Transit-Oriented Development Parking Policy Ron Golem, Deputy Director, Real Estate, and Josselyn Jacobson, Associate Real Estate Agent, provided a presentation entitled Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Parking Policy, highlighting the following: 1) VTA strategic plan; 2) Study analysis; 3) Benefits of TOD; 4) Best practices; 5) Park and ride utilization; 6) Comparison of ridership, parking usage, and revenue; 7) TOD parking policy; and 8) TOD parking policy tools. M/S/C (Chavez/Nunez) to recommend that the VTA Board of Directors approve the addition of a new section to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Joint Development (JD) Policy Guidance Documents, for a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Parking Policy as described in Attachment A, that sets forth guiding principles and implementation strategies for how VTA should address parking for TOD projects at VTA transit stations and facilities, as well as privately developed TOD on adjacent sites. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Regular Agenda Item #8 MOVER: Cindy Chavez, Chairperson SECONDER: Bob Nunez, Member AYES: Chavez, Diep, Jones, Nunez NOES: None ABSENT: None OTHER ITEMS 11. October 2018 Monthly Ridership and Fare Revenue Performance Joonie Tolosa, Manager, Operations Analysis, Reporting & Systems, provided an overview of the staff report, highlighting the ridership and fare revenue improvements compared to the previous period. Public Comment Mr. Lebrun commented that increase in gas prices affected the increase in ridership. He also suggested the discontinuation of Line 180. On order of Vice Chairperson Jones and there being no objection, the Committee received the October 2018 Monthly Ridership and Fare Revenue Performance Report. Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations Minutes Page 4 of 6 November 16, 2018

7 12. VTA's Safety and Security Programs On order of Vice Chairperson Jones and there being no objection, the Committee received the VTA s Safety and Security Programs Report. 13. Items of Concern and Referral to Administration There were no Items of Concern and Referral to Administration. 14. Review Committee Work Plan On order Vice Chairperson Jones and there being no objection, the Committee reviewed the Committee Work Plan. 15. Committee Staff Report Vice Chairperson Jones noted that the Committee Staff Report was contained on the dais. 16. Chairperson's Report There was no Chairperson s Report. 17. Determine Consent Agenda for the December 6, 2018 Board of Directors Meeting CONSENT: None REGULAR: Agenda Item #6., Recommend that the VTA Board of Directors adopt a Station Access Policy for VTA. Agenda Item #7., Recommend that the VTA Board of Directors approve the VTA Land Use and Development Review Policy. Agenda Item #8., Recommend that the VTA Board of Directors approve the addition of a new section to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Joint Development (JD) Policy Guidance Documents, for a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Parking Policy as described in Attachment A, that sets forth guiding principles and implementation strategies for how VTA should address parking for TOD projects at VTA transit stations and facilities, as well as privately developed TOD on adjacent sites. 18. ANNOUNCEMENTS There were no Announcements. 19. ADJOURNMENT On order of Vice Chairperson Jones and there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 2:41 p.m. Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations Minutes Page 5 of 6 November 16, 2018

8 Respectfully submitted, Michael Diaresco, Board Assistant VTA Office of the Board Secretary Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations Minutes Page 6 of 6 November 16, 2018

9 5 Date: December 12, 2018 Current Meeting: December 21, 2018 Board Meeting: January 10, 2019 BOARD MEMORANDUM TO: THROUGH: FROM: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations General Manager, Nuria I. Fernandez Director - Planning & Programming, Chris Augenstein SUBJECT: Transit Service Changes - January 14, 2019 FOR INFORMATION ONLY BACKGROUND: VTA implements transit service changes quarterly in January, April, July, and October. Major service changes are typically planned for implementation in July to coincide with each fiscal year, while minor service changes are planned for each quarter. Major service changes must be submitted to the VTA Board of Directors for review and approval. For Title VI compliance purposes, all major service changes also require that VTA staff perform a Service Equity Analysis. The following modifications are considered major service changes as adopted by the VTA Board of Directors: Establishment of a new transit line or service. Elimination of a transit line or service. Route change that impacts 25 percent or more of a line s route miles. Span of service or frequency changes affecting 25 percent or more of a line s revenue vehicle hours. Series of changes on a single route which are included in the annual transit service plan and cumulatively meet any of the above criteria. Proposed changes that are anticipated to be controversial with a particular community or interested parties based on public feedback. Systemwide change concurrently affecting five percent or more of the total system revenue hours. Service change proposals that do not meet the criteria for major service changes are handled at the staff level and are still subject to an appropriate level of community review and comment.

10 5 DISCUSSION: In June 2017, the VTA Board of Directors approved the Next Network Transit Service Plan, for implementation coincident with the introduction of BART service at Milpitas and San Jose / Berryessa stations. In the interim, quarterly transit service changes, such as this one, focus on adjustments to VTA's current service to improve schedules and connections. The following service changes will take effect on Monday, January 14, 2019: Major Service Changes No major service changes. Minor Service Changes 1. Light Rail 900 Purple Line, 901 Blue Line, and 902 Green Line: weekday and weekend schedules will be revised to accommodate additional running time. Train delays have increased steadily due to increased traffic congestion and pedestrian activity on sections of First Street and Tasman Drive. 2. Morgan Hill: The timepoint at Main & Hale will be moved to Main & Monterey. Buses will remain on Main Street and no longer pull into an off-street bus stop at Main & Hale. This change will impact: Route 16 Morgan Hill Civic Center - Burnett Avenue Route 68 Gilroy Transit Center - San Jose Diridon Transit Center 3. Downtown San Jose: The timepoint at San Fernando & 1 st will be moved to San Fernando & 2 nd. This change will impact: Route 63 Almaden Expressway & Camden - San Jose State University Route 64 Almaden Station - McKee & White Route 65 Kooser & Blossom Hill - 13 th & Hedding Route 81 Moffett Field/Ames Center - San Jose State University DASH Downtown Area Shuttle 4. Express 181 San Jose Diridon Transit Center - Warm Springs BART: One additional weekday afternoon bus will be added to improve reliability and capacity. Weekday and weekend schedule changes will be made in January in advance of a BART schedule change that will take effect on February 11, There will be additional changes that will take effect on February 11 when BART changes their evening frequency to every 24 minutes (currently every 20 minutes). 5. Many bus routes will have minor schedule changes to weekday, Saturday, and Sunday service in order to improve running times, on-time performance, transfers, and operator layovers. 6. Cost increases due to declining speeds. As transit speeds continue to decline due to increased traffic congestion and pedestrian activity, additional transit vehicles must Page 2 of 3

11 5 occasionally be added in order to maintain service frequency. Two transit vehicles will be added this quarter: One additional light rail train will be added to Route 902 Green Line on weekends (necessary to maintain 30-minute service frequency). The additional train is required because of increased delays to trains due to traffic congestion (trains waiting at red lights) and pedestrian activity, particularly along Tasman Drive and North First Street. One additional Saturday bus will be added to the combination of Route 72 & 73 to maintain service frequency in light of declining speeds due to increased traffic congestion and buses waiting at red lights. Subsequent service change memos will also include a discussion (including fiscal impact) of specific instances when buses or trains are added due to declining transit speeds. The continued decline in transit speeds and resulting cost increases point to the critical need to speed up transit, which is the subject of VTA s recently-initiated Fast Transit program. FISCAL IMPACT: The estimated annual cost of the additional buses and trains added to compensate for declining transit speeds due to increased traffic congestion and pedestrian activity is approximately $185,000 per year. Appropriation for these expenditures is available in the Adopted FY19 VTA Transit Fund Operating Budget. Prepared By: Jay Tyree Memo No Page 3 of 3

12 6 Date: December 13, 2018 Current Meeting: December 21, 2018 Board Meeting: January 10, 2019 BOARD MEMORANDUM TO: THROUGH: FROM: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations General Manager, Nuria I. Fernandez Director - Planning & Programming, Chris Augenstein SUBJECT: Transit Ridership Trends Review -- Fall 2018 FOR INFORMATION ONLY BACKGROUND: This is the first in a series of regular informational reports under VTA's new Transit Performance Monitoring Program, which the Board of Directors established in 2018 as part of VTA's Transit Service Guidelines policy. Under this monitoring program, VTA Planning staff will present a series of regular transit service planning issues for the Board s information, discussion, and action as appropriate. Topics will cover a range of issues, but will often include systemwide performance/trends, route-by-route performance, and service changes. DISCUSSION: VTA's transit ridership is amidst a nearly 3-year trend of falling ridership which began in early 2016, and this report aims to provide the Board of Directors a deeper look at this trend. On numerous occasions, VTA Board members and Advisory Committee members have expressed concern and a desire to better understand the issue. For this report, weekday service is the subject of analysis because of its importance in service planning analysis and decisions (weekend service typically follows similar trends). Also, "ridership" generally means a count of "boardings" -- the number of times a rider boards a transit bus or train. At the time of writing, data through September 2018 was used for this report. As this item is presented for consideration by VTA committees and the Board of Directors, more recent ridership data may be available to report. VTA's Transit Ridership Trend Average weekday boardings is a useful metric of ridership trends, as it measures the total number of trips taken on transit over the course of a typical weekday, averaged over an analysis period (typically a month, quarter, or year). VTA s average weekday boardings for each of the last ten

13 6 fiscal years is shown in Table 1; this annual data gives a high-level picture of ridership trends from year to year. Key takeaways from Table 1 include: 1. Ridership fell as the local economy improved immediately following FY09, as our economy emerged from the Great Recession. This is consistent with historical trends, where demand for transit typically decreases during periods of economic growth and increases during recessions. 2. Following a multi-year period of gradual growth, ridership exhibited a marked decline that started in FY16 and continued through FY On a typical weekday in FY18, VTA carried slightly fewer than 120,000 riders, which is about 19% fewer than the ten-year high of nearly 150,000 riders in FY09. Table 1: Average Weekday Boardings by Fiscal Year Bus Rail System FY08 106,675 33, ,718 FY09 111,820 5% 34,306 4% 146,126 5% FY10 103,575-7% 31,355-9% 134,930-8% FY11 102,187-1% 31,871 2% 134,058-1% FY12 104,583 2% 32,716 3% 137,299 2% FY13 106,161 2% 34,247 5% 140,408 2% FY14 105,969 0% 35,012 2% 140,981 0% FY15 106,215 0% 34,944 0% 141,159 0% FY16 104,009-2% 33,308-5% 137,317-3% FY17 94,740-9% 29,262-12% 124,002-10% FY18 91,270-4% 27,361-6% 118,631-4% To dig deeper into the ten-year ridership trend, Figures 1 and 2 show monthly ridership changes for the last ten years. Because transit ridership is very seasonal and normally fluctuates from month to month (for example, VTA s September light rail ridership is typically 8% higher than August), the most useful metric is a comparison of year-over-year changes by month, where each month s ridership is reported as a percent increase or decrease compared to the same month the year prior. This method is useful because it provides a baseline trend of ridership that eliminates the impact of highly seasonal transit ridership fluctuations over the course of a typical year. Key takeaways from the bus ridership data shown in Figure 1 include: 4. VTA bus weekday ridership began a marked decline in early 2016 that continued for nearly three years. The most significant monthly declines were experienced in 2016 and the first half of More recently the declines have not been as significant, suggesting a possible bottoming out of the multi-year decline in bus ridership. 5. VTA s peers (the 30 largest bus transit operators across the country) also experienced significant year-over-year bus ridership declines, however the industry s trend started years earlier in More recently, our peers are also seeing a gradual improvement from quarter to quarter that began in mid-2017, suggesting VTA s recent improvements may be part of a larger improving trend across the industry. Page 2 of 7

14 Oct 2008 Jan 2009 Apr 2009 Jul 2009 Oct 2009 Jan 2010 Apr 2010 Jul 2010 Oct 2010 Jan 2011 Apr 2011 Jul 2011 Oct 2011 Jan 2012 Apr 2012 Jul 2012 Oct 2012 Jan 2013 Apr 2013 Jul 2013 Oct 2013 Jan 2014 Apr 2014 Jul 2014 Oct 2014 Jan 2015 Apr 2015 Jul 2015 Oct 2015 Jan 2016 Apr 2016 Jul 2016 Oct 2016 Jan 2017 Apr 2017 Jul 2017 Oct 2017 Jan 2018 Apr 2018 Jul 2018 Oct 2018 Oct 2008 Jan 2009 Apr 2009 Jul 2009 Oct 2009 Jan 2010 Apr 2010 Jul 2010 Oct 2010 Jan 2011 Apr 2011 Jul 2011 Oct 2011 Jan 2012 Apr 2012 Jul 2012 Oct 2012 Jan 2013 Apr 2013 Jul 2013 Oct 2013 Jan 2014 Apr 2014 Jul 2014 Oct 2014 Jan 2015 Apr 2015 Jul 2015 Oct 2015 Jan 2016 Apr 2016 Jul 2016 Oct 2016 Jan 2017 Apr 2017 Jul 2017 Oct 2017 Jan 2018 Apr 2018 Jul 2018 Oct Figure 1: VTA Bus Year-Over-Year Change in Weekday Boardings (percent change in weekday boardings, compared to the same month from the year prior) 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% - 5% - 10% - 15% - 20% BUS source: VTA average weekday boardings (Oct Sep. 2018) Figure 2: VTA Light Rail Year-Over-Year Change in Weekday Boardings (percent change in weekday boardings, compared to the same month from the year prior) 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% -5% -10% -15% -20% LIGHT RAIL source: VTA average weekday boardings (Oct Sep. 2018); APTA's quarterly Public Transit Ridership Report The same year-over-year data for light rail is illustrated in Figure 2. Key takeaways include: 6. Similar to bus, but starting about a year prior, VTA light rail weekday ridership began a marked decline in mid-2015 that generally continued for many months aside from a few scattered months of isolated ridership increases. The most significant monthly declines were experienced in 2016 and Also similar to bus, more recently light rail ridership declines have been lessening in severity, suggesting a possible bottoming out of the multi-year decline in light rail ridership as well. Page 3 of 7

15 6 7. Light rail ridership exhibited year-over-year growth for the most recent two months of data, August and September VTA s peers experience mixed light rail ridership trends. Focusing on the most recent second half of the decade, our peers experienced ridership declines during 2015 and part of 2016, ridership increases during parts of 2016 and 2017, then declines again for parts of 2017 and While the data illustrated in Table 1 and Figures 1 and 2 provide a useful insight into long-term ridership trends, they don t account for changes in the amount of transit service provided, which has a direct and substantial influence on ridership. Simply put, when more service is provided, ridership increases, and vice versa. This is why it is critical to also look at ridership per unit of service provided in order to get an accurate impression of long-term ridership trends; at VTA we use boardings per service hour. This metric is often referred to as transit s productivity, and in fact improving transit productivity is the only way to increase ridership without increasing service levels. This is why VTA s Next Network service redesign centered around improving VTA s transit productivity and serving more riders per dollar spent. Figure 3 shows nearly ten years of service productivity; key takeaways include: 9. Following a period of generally steady and consistent productivity through most of 2015, VTA transit productivity took a substantial and obvious turn for the worse starting in early 2016 and continuing for nearly three years. 10. The most recent months of light rail and bus productivity are both about 25% lower than their sustained level in years prior, though the decline in light rail is more pronounced and obvious than bus due to rail s higher productivity. This trend is concerning, because it means VTA is carrying fewer riders per dollar spent on service. 11. Very recently, ridership productivity seems to have stabilized slightly, where productivity isn t falling as fast and has generally leveled off. While the leveling off is a positive development, it shouldn t yet be considered a new trend. Page 4 of 7

16 Oct 2008 Jan 2009 Apr 2009 Jul 2009 Oct 2009 Jan 2010 Apr 2010 Jul 2010 Oct 2010 Jan 2011 Apr 2011 Jul 2011 Oct 2011 Jan 2012 Apr 2012 Jul 2012 Oct 2012 Jan 2013 Apr 2013 Jul 2013 Oct 2013 Jan 2014 Apr 2014 Jul 2014 Oct 2014 Jan 2015 Apr 2015 Jul 2015 Oct 2015 Jan 2016 Apr 2016 Jul 2016 Oct 2016 Jan 2017 Apr 2017 Jul 2017 Oct 2017 Jan 2018 Apr 2018 Jul 2018 Oct Figure 3: Weekday Boardings Per Hour (12-month rolling average) RAIL BUS source: VTA average weekday boardings (Oct Sep. 2018); VTA service hours by quarterly signup Factors Impacting Ridership Because VTA is not alone in facing the present trend, we can look to the industry for insight into the external factors that may be contributing to the phenomenon. Planners, transit managers, academics, and industry watchers have identified a number of external factors that are potentially exerting downward pressure on the demand for transit in the transportation market, including: Low gas prices, which peaked around 2012 and have been persistently low since around Cheap gas lowers the relative cost of driving, and this factor s strong inverse relationship to transit ridership is well-established. Strong economic growth, marked by continued growth in economic output and jobs, leading to higher individual incomes. As income rises, the demand for transit falls as people choose other modes (particularly driving) for local trips. Increased telecommuting, a work commuting trend which has boomed over the last decade or so, which may reduce the demand for transit, particularly transit focused on commuter travel patterns. Competition from app-based ride hailing services such as Uber and Lyft, which are relatively new players in the local travel market. While the industry is still trying to better understand their disruptive impact on the market, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests ride hailing services are driving down the demand for transit. A widelycited recent and comprehensive study showed that ride hailing usage is resulting in a 6% reduction in bus transit usage and a 3% reduction in rail transit usage in major cities. The timing of their activity in the marketplace also suggests a strong inverse relationship, as the timing of the transit industry s ridership decline corresponds remarkably well with the explosive growth of ride hailing services. New availability of driver s licenses for undocumented residents, which became available statewide in January Data from the U.S. Census and the DMV shows the number of Santa Clara County residents with a driver s license grew by 12% during the last five years while population grew by 2% ( ). The newfound availability of Page 5 of 7

17 6 driver s licenses removes a longstanding barrier to driving and a corresponding decline in the demand for transit as driving becomes a new option for large groups of people. Increasingly high housing costs, which is causing many lower and middle income residents, who have a higher propensity to use transit, to move to more affordable communities in the suburbs where transit is simply not a realistic option. Undoubtedly, there are other external factors (private commuter shuttle services is a notable example) that may be exerting downward pressure on the demand for transit service, however there is presently a lack of evidence to suggest they are consequential. Most importantly, no single factor adequately explains the present phenomenon. More accurately, each of these factors, by varying degrees, are collectively driving down the demand for transit. It is not accurate to summarize the current trend by highlighting one factor alone. We are beginning to see industry research that attempts to explain the present phenomenon through quantifying the impact of these and other factors. However, the research is not yet conclusive or sufficient to accurately explain the forces at work. Several recently-published studies have focused on the impact of competition from ride hailing services because these services are so new and the desire to understand their disruptive element on the transit marketplace. While there is growing evidence that ride hailing is driving down transit usage (in some cases quite significantly), more evidence is needed before transit operators can draw accurate conclusions and chart a path forward. VTA Action VTA is taking action to stem our ridership decline on several fronts: VTA is bringing BART service to Santa Clara County, which will provide fast and convenient transit connections throughout the region. The investment will better integrate our transit network into the region s transit network and attract new riders. VTA is implementing a new transit network designed to increase ridership through an expanded network of frequent routes, called our Next Network transit plan. In the face of declining ridership across the industry, it is increasingly important for transit operators to adapt to the changing local travel market and spend resources more effectively. It is simply not enough to continue running transit networks that were designed for a prior era. This is why many transit operators are now conducting transit system redesign studies to update their bus networks, just as VTA conducted its Next Network project. The proof is in the results transit properties such as Houston, Seattle, and Columbus that have implemented redesigned networks are all outperforming the industry and some are actually growing ridership. VTA s Next Network follows these same principles that have worked elsewhere. Building on the Next Network plan, VTA will roll out a series of transit information improvements designed to make transit easier to understand and use. These improvements will include a new frequency-based system map, new printed transit schedules, redesigned bus stop signage, and an improved GTFS transit schedule data feed for third party apps and websites. These improvements will be introduced coincident with the Next Network in Page 6 of 7

18 6 Staff recently kicked off a comprehensive redesign of the Express Bus program, a subset of VTA s route network that underperforms the rest of the network. The goal of the study is to develop a new program of commuter solutions that will serve more riders and will meet VTA s productivity goal. Staff also recently kicked off the Fast Transit program, which is aimed at reversing the trend of a gradual but consistent slowdown in transit speeds due to growing traffic congestion and pedestrian activity causing red light delays for buses and trains. This long-term issue has the impact of increasing costs and decreasing productivity as each hour of service serves fewer riders. VTA staff have begun working with our municipal partners to identify and implement solutions that prioritize transit to increase the speed of buses and trains. As additional ridership data comes in and VTA implements the multi-faceted action strategies to improve transit ridership and productivity, Planning staff will return with regular updates for the VTA committees and Board of Directors. Prepared By: Jay Tyree Memo No Page 7 of 7

19 A&F Agenda Item 12 CMPP Agenda Item 10 SSTPO Agenda Item 6 Transit Performance Monitoring Program Transit Ridership Review VTA Standing Committees December 2018

20 Informational Report on Transit Ridership VTA ridership trends Peer ridership trends Ridership of four routes we improved in January Factors influencing ridership VTA efforts to increase ridership this presentation includes October data not available for the memo 2

21 at VTA, ridership = boardings count of riders getting on a transit vehicle be careful of statements reporting total ridership ridership was up this month! 3

22 transit ridership is seasonal +10% +5% BUS 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -5% -10% RAIL

23 the mix of Weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays impacts ridership FEBRUARY MARCH weekdays weekdays 5

24 Average Weekday Boardings by Fiscal Year 120, ,000 80,000 BUS 91,270 60,000 40,000 20,000 27,361 0 RAIL FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18

25 Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Average Weekday Boardings by Month (12-Month Rolling Average) 120, ,000 80,000 BUS 60,000 40,000 RAIL 20,

26 service level impacts ridership 8

27 Oct 2008 Jan 2009 Apr 2009 Jul 2009 Oct 2009 Jan 2010 Apr 2010 Jul 2010 Oct 2010 Jan 2011 Apr 2011 Jul 2011 Oct 2011 Jan 2012 Apr 2012 Jul 2012 Oct 2012 Jan 2013 Apr 2013 Jul 2013 Oct 2013 Jan 2014 Apr 2014 Jul 2014 Oct 2014 Jan 2015 Apr 2015 Jul 2015 Oct 2015 Jan 2016 Apr 2016 Jul 2016 Oct 2016 Jan 2017 Apr 2017 Jul 2017 Oct 2017 Jan 2018 Apr 2018 Jul 2018 Oct 2018 Average Weekday Boardings per Hour (12-Month Rolling Average) BUS RAIL

28 10-year VTA bus year-over-year change in weekday boardings Oct 2008 Jan 2009 Apr 2009 Jul 2009 Oct 2009 Jan 2010 Apr 2010 Jul 2010 Oct 2010 Jan 2011 Apr 2011 Jul 2011 Oct 2011 Jan 2012 Apr 2012 Jul 2012 Oct 2012 Jan 2013 Apr 2013 Jul 2013 Oct 2013 Jan 2014 Apr 2014 Jul 2014 Oct 2014 Jan 2015 Apr 2015 Jul 2015 Oct 2015 Jan 2016 Apr 2016 Jul 2016 Oct 2016 Jan 2017 Apr 2017 Jul 2017 Oct 2017 Jan 2018 Apr 2018 Jul 2018 Oct % BUS 15% 10% 5% 0% -5% -10% -15% -20%

29 10-year VTA light rail year-over-year change in weekday boardings Oct 2008 Jan 2009 Apr 2009 Jul 2009 Oct 2009 Jan 2010 Apr 2010 Jul 2010 Oct 2010 Jan 2011 Apr 2011 Jul 2011 Oct 2011 Jan 2012 Apr 2012 Jul 2012 Oct 2012 Jan 2013 Apr 2013 Jul 2013 Oct 2013 Jan 2014 Apr 2014 Jul 2014 Oct 2014 Jan 2015 Apr 2015 Jul 2015 Oct 2015 Jan 2016 Apr 2016 Jul 2016 Oct 2016 Jan 2017 Apr 2017 Jul 2017 Oct 2017 Jan 2018 Apr 2018 Jul 2018 Oct % RAIL 15% 10% 5% 0% -5% -10% -15% -20%

30 33 of 37 bus operators carried fewer riders in 2017 than 2016 Phoenix San Francisco Chicago burbs Seattle Columbus Houston Oakland Pittsburgh Portland Las Vegas Newark Minneapolis Philadelphia Atlanta Chicago Dallas Montgomery County Orange County San Diego San Antonio Cincinnati New York Norfolk Washington DC Long Beach Los Angeles San Jose Denver St Louis Boston Baltimore Milwaukee Cleveland Detroit Miami Santa Monica Fort Lauderdale 12

31 35 of 37 bus operators carried fewer riders per hour in 2017 than 2016 Las Vegas Houston San Francisco Pittsburgh Newark Minneapolis Seattle Phoenix Dallas Orange County Norfolk Chicago Portland Cleveland Cincinnati New York Boston Philadelphia Los Angeles San Antonio Long Beach Washington DC San Jose Denver San Diego Montgomery County Columbus Milwaukee St Louis Arlington Heights Atlanta Miami Oakland Santa Monica Baltimore Fort Lauderdale Detroit 13

32 January 2018 Service Improvements to Four Routes 72 Senter & Monterey Downtown San Jose via McLaughlin 73 Senter & Monterey Downtown San Jose via Senter 522 Rapid Palo Alto Eastridge Green Line (Winchester Mountain View) 14

33 72 Senter & Monterey Downtown San Jose via McLaughlin year-over-year change in weekday boardings 21% 20% 1% 4% 14% 15% 5% 14% 9% 10% 8% 12% 0% -8% 0% -3% -1% -4% -4% -6% -5% -3% Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 Sep-17 Oct-17 Nov-17 Dec-17 Jan-18 Feb-18 Mar-18 Apr-18 May-18 Jun-18 Jul-18 Aug-18 Sep-18 Oct-18 15

34 73 Senter & Monterey Downtown San Jose via Senter year-over-year change in weekday boardings 33% 22% 11% 20% 11% 9% 8% 16% 17% 16% 4% 5% 7% 4% 4% 3% 2% 0% -6% -8% -12% -19% Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 Sep-17 Oct-17 Nov-17 Dec-17 Jan-18 Feb-18 Mar-18 Apr-18 May-18 Jun-18 Jul-18 Aug-18 Sep-18 Oct-18 16

35 522 Rapid Palo Alto Eastridge year-over-year change in Sunday boardings 55% 44% 40% 59% 48% 51% 48% 51% 51% 34% 0% 8% 4% -14% -21% -14% -6% -8% -15% -10% -4% -4% Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 Sep-17 Oct-17 Nov-17 Dec-17 Jan-18 Feb-18 Mar-18 Apr-18 May-18 Jun-18 Jul-18 Aug-18 Sep-18 Oct-18 17

36 G Green Line (Winchester Mountain View) year-over-year change in weekday boardings 11% 9% 12% 10% 10% 1% 2% -10% -14% -15%-14% -17% -8% -14% -12% -14% -9% -6% -1% -4% -1% -24% Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 Sep-17 Oct-17 Nov-17 Dec-17 Jan-18 Feb-18 Mar-18 Apr-18 May-18 Jun-18 Jul-18 Aug-18 Sep-18 Oct-18 18

37 many factor contributing to ridership decline low gas prices economic growth increased telecommuting competition from ride hailing services new availability of driver s licenses increasingly high housing costs stale transit network buses and trains moving slower 19

38 Next Network + BART Silicon Valley Phase % ridership increase over current network ridership gains expected to take about two years to materialize 20

39 Next Network Just a Start redesigned transit information for customers better performance monitoring better Express bus service faster transit 21

40 1 redesigned transit information for customers new system map new printed schedules new VTA website new bus stop signage 22

41 2 better performance monitoring better performance information + regular discussions at committees 23

42 3 Light Rail $8.57 cost per rider better Express bus service Frequent Bus $7.43 cost per rider Local Bus $9.87 cost per rider Express Bus $30.92 cost per rider 24

43 4 faster transit 14.1 MPH MPH MPH 2001 collaborative FAST TRANSIT project to speed up bus and light rail 11.6 MPH

44 7 Date: December 5, 2018 Current Meeting: December 21, 2018 Board Meeting: N/A BOARD MEMORANDUM TO: THROUGH: FROM: SUBJECT: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations General Manager, Nuria I. Fernandez Chief Operating Officer, Inez Evans College Football Playoff Championship Game Update FOR INFORMATION ONLY BACKGROUND: On January 7, 2019, Levi s Stadium will be hosting the 2019 College Football Playoff Championship (CFP) Game with attendance expected to be approximately 70,000 people. In addition to the Championship game, there will be many events held in Downtown San Jose during the week leading up to the nationally televised game. VTA is collaborating with Levi s stadium, the CFP Host Committee, and the City of San Jose for all of these events. DISCUSSION: The VTA Special Events staff has been meeting with Levi s Stadium and the CFP Host Committee over the last few months in anticipation of the CFP game. VTA has been holding internal meetings with all VTA departments to discuss and plan service for the week long events. The VTA Special Events staff will continue these meetings with Levi s Stadium and the CFP Host Committee to keep all VTA departments informed over the next few weeks as the event approaches. VTA staff is working on the service plan, marketing plan, and fare revenue for the first week of January. The following are some of the important CFP events for which VTA is planning: Discovery Meadow concerts will be held on Friday, January 4 th through Sunday, January, 6 th from 6:00pm-11:00pm. (VTA will not be servicing Children s Discovery Meadow (CDM) Platform for the three days); Queue line for post event on San Carlos sidewalk and fencing along the right of way similar to the 4 th of July event; Downtown re-routes for the week with the largest impact being the San Carlos closure

45 7 affecting the Line 23; Game Day service plan concentrating service from Downtown San Jose along the First Street corridor; Capping VTA service on game day at 15,000 riders and using the EZ-FARE mobile app for pre-sale game day transit passes which will include 3-day and 5-day convention passes; Providing communications to hotels along First St. and Downtown San Jose to inform passengers about VTA service during the week of January 4 th ; Coordinating with the CFP Host Committee volunteers on providing training on VTA service from Downtown SJ to the different events and coordinating training efforts for VTA Ambassadors working throughout the week VTA is looking forward to this event and working diligently to make sure that the entire week runs smoothly for our local passengers as well as any out of town guests. Prepared By: Steve Jovel Memo No Page 2 of 2

46 Hybrid Buses and Battery Overhaul

47 Series/Parallel Hybrid VTA s 100, 200 and 4100 Series Buses run on Allison Split Parallel Hybrid Systems. Series/parallel hybrid or Two Mode compound split parallel hybrid systems utilize both series and parallel power paths. In these systems the electric motor and engine can be mechanically connected to create output. 2

48 Hybrid Bus Maintenance Benefits and Considerations Regenerative braking extends brake life and lowers maintenance costs by reducing brake lining wear. Electric drive systems have fewer mechanical parts, which require less maintenance than traditional transmissions. Studies show hybrid buses have 4% lower maintenance costs per mile and 15% lower total operating costs per mile than conventional diesel buses. After approximately 120,000 Amp/Hours of energy throughput, Hybrid battery energy storage capacity degrades. At 70% of its original capacity, batteries are at a higher risk for cell failure. Several of the VTA s coaches have either surpassed or are approaching this threshold. 3

49 Allison Energy Storage System (ESS2) VTA purchased (90) Allison Hybrid/Diesel coaches manufactured by GILLIG between late 2010 and early An integral part of the Allison Hybrid System is the hybrid battery, which Allison refers to as the Energy Storage System 2 (ESS2). VTA research indicates these batteries are approaching the end of their expected optimum service life. To prepare for the replacement or refresh of these Hybrid Batteries VTA conducted a Make or Buy Study to evaluate the options for this project. There are currently (3) common approaches used in the transit industry to replace or refresh the ESS: Option #1 Overhaul the ESS using Prius Hybrid batteries Option #2 Overhaul the ESS using Allison Refresh Kit (Allison OEM Solution) Option #3 Purchase EnerDel Vigor+ replacement ESS The purpose of this study was to determine which option is the most beneficial to VTA. 4

50 Allison ESS Battery 5

51 Make or Buy Study results Option Total Cost Per ESS Total Costs 90 ESS's #1 Prius Rebuild $ 23, $ 2,087, #2 Allison Refresh Kit $ 41, $ 3,725, #3 EnerDel Vigor+ $ 47, $ 4,230, Option #1, Prius rebuild was selected and will allow the fleet to remain operational while delivering substantial cost savings over the other 2 options. VTA s Bus Overhaul & Repair (O&R) personnel will be performing the work inhouse. Factors that support this decision were the ability to source low priced Prius hybrid batteries from local suppliers and VTA s highly skilled work force. VTA is taking a conservative approach to the project and maintaining readiness through early resourcing, training and quarterly scheduled rebuilds to ensure staff remains proficient, and supplies and funding are available so as the batteries begin to approach the 70% or show increased signs of degradation, we can kick the rebuild schedule into high gear. 6

52 ESS Battery Pack Rebuild 7

53 Valley Transportation Authority Ridership and Revenue Performance- Nov-2018 Item# 9 Monthly Year-to-Date (calendar) Prior month Ridership Nov-2018 Nov-2017 Difference Percent Change Current (Jan' 18-Nov' 18) Prior (Jan' 17-Nov' 17) Difference Percent Change Oct-2018 Percent Change Bus 2,186,253 2,393, , % 25,351,689 26,248, , % 2,609, % Light Rail 676, ,370-40, % 7,853,433 7,992, , % 811, % System 2,863,110 3,110, , % 33,205,122 34,241,373-1,036, % 3,420, % 4,000,000 VTA System Ridership ,650,000 1,600,000 VTA Smart Card Ridership Clipper EZ Fare 3,500,000 1,550,000 1,500,000 3,000,000 1,450,000 2,500,000 1,400,000 1,350,000 2,000,000 1,300,000 1,500,000 1,250,000 1,200,000 1,000,000 1,150, ,000 Rev 0 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 1,100,000 1,050,000 1,000,000 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov EZ Fare 5,233 6,579 10,366 12,366 20,694 23,676 26,036 29,756 28,473 27,529 26,125 Clipper 1,160,337 1,171,898 1,397,771 1,388,663 1,442,463 1,260,286 1,213,696 1,350,977 1,379,749 1,575,313 1,249,877 Penetration 40.8% 40.8% 45.7% 45.6% 44.9% 50.0% 42.9% 43.5% 45.1% 46.1% 43.7% Revenue Monthly Year-to-Date (calendar) Prior month Percent Current Prior Percent Percent Nov-2018 November-2017 Difference Difference Oct-2018 Change (Jan' 18-Nov' 18) (Jan' 17-Nov' 17) Change Change Fare Revenue $2,877,650 $2,887,490 -$9, % $30,668,662 $33,068,851 -$2,400, % $3,143, % Avg. Fare per Boardin $1.01 $0.93 $ % $0.92 $0.97 -$ % $ %

54 Light Rail Safety Enhancement Project Status Report Safety Security Transportation & Operations Standing Committee December 2018

55 Project Overview Several approved light rail track intrusion prevention projects: Railing in Transit Mall (pilot project)* Median fencing and barriers along trackway* Pedestrian swing gates Back gates at Vasona gated crossings * Upcoming construction 2

56 Transit Mall Railing Purpose to limit pedestrian conflict with light rail Railing along trackway between light rail and buildings Location on 2nd Street between San Fernando and San Carlos Continuous railing with opening for driveways and walkway Integrated shelf at certain locations 3

57 Transit Mall Railing 4 San Fernando St. San Carlos St. Platform 2nd Street 1st Street Paseo De San Antonio New fencing

58 Transit Mall Railing Photo simulation of proposed railing 5

59 Transit Mall Schedule Final engineering by end of December 2018 Advertisement in early 2019 with construction in May 2019 After six month review, can evaluate other Transit Mall locations 6

60 Median Fencing Project Prevent jaywalking across tracks with median light rail Prevent automobile track intrusion at intersections Restrict access around homeless encampments including substation facilities 7

61 Median Fencing Scope Includes 8 fencing locations along First Street Tasman Drive and Capitol Avenue Refreshing striping and pavement markings at 23 locations previously enhanced at intersections Security chain link fence used at 7 locations near homeless encampments and substations 8

62 Typical Median Safety Enhancement Short fence on barrier at left turn lane Median fence in landscape area 9

63 Median Fencing Schedule Readvertising in January 2019 for construction (recently advertised and received high bids) Construction to begin in summer 2019 Evaluating next priorities for use when future funds become available 10

64 MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: Safety, Security and Transit Planning and Operations Committee Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Board of Directors Inez P. Evans, Chief Operating Officer DATE: December 21, 2018 SUBJECT: Agenda Item 13, Committee Staff Report Overhead Lineworker (OHLW) Apprentice Graduation On Thursday, November 29, 2018 all six of the enrolled apprentices in VTA s first Overhead Lineworker (OHLW) Apprenticeship Program class were honored at a graduation ceremony at the VTA River Oaks Auditorium. These six employees completed the 18 months, 2,000-hour requirement and passed all of the performance requirements needed to become an Overhead Lineworker. Also recognized were the mentors who guided the OHLW Apprentices through their training. Along with VTA Staff and ATU Management, speakers at the event included Gary Knight, Apprenticeship Consultant for DAS, Leandra Martin, VP for the Office of Instruction at Mission College, and Supervisor Cindy Chavez, who is also a VTA Board Member. Congratulations to our first six OHLW graduates! Seated are the six graduates of the first VTA Overhead Lineworker Apprenticeship Program. Standing are VTA Staff and ATU Local 265 Management.

65 Mentors who guided the first OHLW Apprentices in successfully completing the program. NTI/TLC Advancing Transit Frontline Workforce Development The National Transit Institute (NTI) and the Transportation Learning Center (TLC) hosted a meeting in Silver Springs Maryland December 11-12, 2018, on advancing Transit Frontline Workforce Development. Jamaine Gibson and Steve Jovel attended, representing ATU Local 265 and VTA s JWI Apprenticeship Programs. The meeting was attended by a small handpicked group representing management, several transit unions, the U.S Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Education, FTA, NTI, and TLC. The discussion was to explore the opportunity to advance frontline workforce development through Labor Management partnerships like JWI in transit. Over 500,000 transit employees need to be hired over the next ten years to address the aging workforce and expansion of service. The hope is that programs like JWI will help transit agencies recruit, develop and retain the future workforce needed in public transit. NTI will work closely with FTA to help identify frontline workforce needs and ways to connect apprenticeships and formal training programs to support these areas. The outcome of this effort will be to produce a report that will identify the immediate, near and longer term skills needs for the frontline workforce for the U.S. Department of Transportation. This opportunity gives VTA/ATU JWI Program more exposure nationally and gives the program a voice in the discussion of changing training and frontline workforce development in Transit. Paratransit Update VTA Paratransit has seen its best on time performance in years this fall, ranging from 90 to 92 percent on time performance and on time be there times for appointments.